You Can Stay With Us Over Break
Winter break will be a bit different this year. If you want to stay in your space to take classes during winter session (Dec. 14 to Jan. 21, 2021), stick around and pick up extra hours at your job or just stay and hang out in Ames, we have you covered.

The fall semester ends Nov. 25. Our residence halls will stay open, and you will have access to your space, through Dec. 19.

From Dec. 20 through Jan. 6, if you live in Friley, Eaton, Martin, Helser, BWR, BLF, Maple, Willow or Larch (the non-break residence halls) you will need to sign up by Dec. 19 and tell us when you will be staying in your room. You can sign up through StarRez here. If you don't register by Dec. 19 your access card will be turned off.

All other residence halls and apartments are open over break with no sign up needed.

The residence halls will open back up for the spring semester on Jan. 7. Spring meal plans will also begin that day.

More winter break details can be found here.

ISU Dining Over Winter Break

Your fall semester meal plan will end on Jan. 6, 2021. Open locations and their operating hours for winter break will be posted to the ISU Dining website by early November.
Help is Always Close By
October 10 is World Mental Health Day. If you're stressed, worried, depressed or just need someone to talk with, Student Counseling offers a full range of services to help you, including consultation, crisis intervention, individual counseling and more.
 
If you are In crisis now send a text to ISU Crisis Text Line, which is available 24/7. Other resources resources that are available include:
Be Part of Keeping Campus Healthy
with Random COVID Testing
Today's email from President Wintersteen shared an opportunity for you to be a key part of further mitigating the risk of COVID-19 infection. This testing strategy will help identify asymptomatic positive cases and the data will help determine future testing strategies.

If you're selected, you'll get an email or text message with instructions for scheduling a testing time at Johnny's in Hilton Coliseum. You're encouraged to take the request seriously and go get tested. This isn't intended to punish anyone and there's no disciplinary action for completing the test.

It's an opportunity to be part of mitigating the spread of COVID and supporting the health of our campus and community. Testing, coupled with following Cyclones Care behaviors, helps continue a successful on-campus experience this fall and spring.

Plus, everyone who completes the testing will receive a $5 gift card that can be used at any ISU Dining location (try the gelato at the Hub, it's delicious!). You'll also be entered to win larger prizes like one of 10 $50 ISU Dining gift cards, one of 10 $500 scholarships or a semester of free room and board (that means you live and eat FREE for a semester)!
Get Out and Vote!
As a student in Iowa you have the choice to vote in Ames or in your hometown. The deadline to register to vote is Oct. 24 at 5 p.m. If you prefer to vote by mail, a ballot request must be made by Oct. 24, and returned ballots must be received no later than Nov. 2.

Voter registration forms and absentee ballot request forms can be found at your comunity's desk (look for the box at left). More details on voting can be found here.

Scheman will host early voting times from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the dates listed above. Signed and sealed absentee ballots are also accepted during these times.
Keep Track of Your Meal Swipes
With the changes in the semester schedule, and the added winter session classes, we want to make sure that all students on the Gold Meal Plan have sufficient meal swipes available to use while they are on campus.

Fall meal plans will remain active through Jan. 6. If you are on the Gold plan you have 200 meal swipes and 15 flex meals per semester. Keep in mind, any unused meal swipes or flex meals will expire at the end of the semester. Leftover dining dollars will rollover to your spring meal plan.

The ISU Dining website has a usage calendar that you can use as a guide to help you manage your meal swipes through Nov. 25 or the original Dec. 18 semester end date.

You can always add more dining dollars to your account at any time, or you can upgrade to the Cardinal meal plan, which offers unlimited meal swipes.
Best Room on Campus Entries Due Wednesday

Think you have the Property Brothers beat? Prove it! Entries for our annual Best Room on Campus contest are due Wednesday, Oct. 14. It's simple to enter, just follow three steps:

  1. Make sure your room looks fabulous! Clean up and make your bed. You’ll also want to pay attention to the photo angle and lighting.
  2. Fill out this form by October 14.
  3. Get ready to vote!

For more details on the contest click here.
How it Started:
Remember move-in day? COVID testing, masks - then, you arrived to an empty room and it was time to create a space you'd call home!
How it's Going:
So? How's it going? Did you create a space you love? If you did, show us by entering the Best Room on Campus contest!
Homecoming Game: Be Smart
The Cyclones take on Texas Tech Saturday afternoon. If you plan on doing some "homegating" make sure you Party Smart and follow the strategies of the Cyclone Cares campaign. Remember, if you're watching the game with others, try to keep the gathering small (10 people or less) and have enough space so everyone can stay more than 6-feet apart. Bring your own food and drinks. Wear a mask.

Stay safe, have fun and GO CYCLONES!!
Want to show off your talents? Here's your chance! The Student Union Board's next Open Mic Night will be held Tuesday, Oct. 13. This virtual event is open to all Iowa State students. You must have prepared material and your act can last no more than 10 minutes or two songs. Virtual sign ups start at 7:30 p.m.

To sign up to perform, or to just watch the show, click here.
CYCLONE HOME: The E-News You Can Use!
 
Things you needto know, the latest Dining news, fun events and more will be part of Cyclone Home every Friday! Check out all the past issues here.

Iowa State University Department of Residence & ISU Dining
515-294-2900